Two-piece electrical connector



April 17, 1951 w. J. COYLE 2,549,577

TWO-PIECE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR Filed Oct. 30, 1948 FIG. I.

WILLIAM J. CoYLE.

Patented Apr. 17, 1951 TWO-PIECE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR William J. Ocyle, Waltham, Mass.,- assignor t United-Carr Fastener Corporatiom-Cambridge, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application October 30, 1948, Serial No. 57,523

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to electrical socket contacts such as may be used for the grid connection on an electron discharge tube.

In high voltage radio and electronic circuits, it is known that connections having sharp edges or points cause corona to be formed which are detrimental to the operation of such circuits. One object of my invention is to provide an improved connectio-n having smooth orrounded exterior surfaces which will eliminate corona.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a socket contact of improved construction designed to effect an efiicient electrical connection with a cooperating stud part.

A further object of my invention is to provide a socket contact of the above type which may be easily and inexpensively manufactured and assembled.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent from inspection of the drawings and specifications hereinbelow set forth.

Referring to the drawings in which I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of a portion of an electron discharge tube showing one of my improved socket contacts in connection with the grid terminal extending therefrom;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the connection shown in Fig. l

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the socket contact of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the component parts of the socket contact of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, the tube Ill, which in the illustrated form, may be an electronic discharge tube, is formed with the usual glass Walls having a terminal connector II extending from one end thereof. The connector Ii is advantageously in the form of a hollow metal stud member to the interior of which is connected a lead (not shown) of the internal circuit of the tube. The lead is thus in electrical conducting contact with the stud.

The connector II is electrically connected to the circuit of the apparatus with which the tube is used, and to carry out this object the socket contact I2 of my present invention is employed. In the illustrated form of my invention the contact I2 is formed of two parts and includes a cup-shaped member I3 and a resilient member M. In final assembly of the members I3 and I4, the resilient member I4 is disposed within the cup-shaped member I 3 in secured conducting relationship therewith.

The cup-shaped member I3 in the form shown is preferably made of sheet metal in tubular form with a smooth roundedexterior and an integral hemispherical cap at one end. In assembly of the resilient member I4 with the cup-shaped member IS, the. edges of the walls of the cupshaped member I3 are clenched, curled, or rolled inwardly at 55 over the attaching elements of the resilient member I4, as will be more fully described, thereby forming a smooth rounded lower edge. A hole I6 is made or punched in the.

center of the hemispherical cap. The edges of the cap adjacent the hole are curled or rolled inward to provide a smooth rounded edge.

The resilient member I4 in the form shown is preferably stamped or cut from thin sheet metal and comprises a central body I! with four resilient leg portions I8 extended angularly from around'the peripheral edge of the central body. The legs are formed into resilient contact portions I9 disposed circumferentially around and substantially parallel and spaced from an axis.

disposed normal to the central body and attaching portions 29 at their outer ends extending angularly outwardly from said axis and said central body.

In order to connect the socket contact to the proper circuit of the radio set or other electronic apparatus, a lead wire 2| which may be covered by insulation is provided which is soldered to the central portion of the resilient member. A small aperture 22 may be provided in said central portion for receiving the wire and aiding in making the soldered connection.

Generally, it is preferable to solder the lead wire 2| to the resilient member I4 prior to assembling it with the cup-shaped member I3. Then, the lead Wire 2| is inserted through the bottom of the cup-shaped member I3 and through the aperture It in the hemispherical cap portion. The resilient member I4 is then pulled into the cup-shaped member I3 until the central portion is disposed adjacent the curled edges of the aperture IS in the cap portion and the leg portions I8 are positioned in the tubular portion spaced circumferentially around the interior thereof. The lower edges of the barrel portion are then curled, rolled, or crimped inwards at I5 over the ends of attaching portions 20 of the leg members I8 to retain the resilient member I4 within the cup-shaped member I3.

The other end of the lead 2i may then be $01- dered or connected to a point of the radio or electronic circuit as required and this assembled contact I2 applied to the stud or connector II on the tube with the contact portions 19 of the leg members l8 resiliently gripping and making an electrical contact at circumferentially spaced points around the contact stud H.

The provision of the rounded smooth edge at the end of the barrel and at the aperture of the hemispherical cap as well as smooth rounded exterior of the cup-shaped member l3 reduces the tendency for corona discharge to a minimum when the socket member [2 is used, in high voltage electronic or radio circuits.

Although I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited thereby, as the scope of my invention is best defined by the following claim.

I claim:

A contact element including a cup-shaped sheet metal member and a resilient member disposed within said cup-shaped member, said cupshaped member including a tubular wall portion, a substantially hemispherical shaped end Wall portion extending outwardly at one end of said tubular wall portion the terminal end of said end wall portion being curled inwardly and defining a centrally disposed lead wire-receiving opening, an inwardly and reversely curled flange at the other end of said tubular wall portiondefining a stud-receiving opening, said flange being spaced inwardly from said tubular wall portion, said resilient member including a central body portion disposed adjacent said curved end wall portion of said cup-shaped member and a plurality of leg elements extending from the peripheral edge of said central body portion and spaced circumferentially about the interior of said tubular portion, said leg elements providing contact .portions substantially parallel to the axis of said tubular portion for engaging a stud which may be inserted therein and angularly disposed outwardly extending attaching end portions engaged between said curled flange and the interior of said tubular wall portion.

WILLIAM J. COYLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Germany June 7, 1917 

